Waterfalls are something I always look forward to abroad and this waterfall was a nice little escape right in Ottawa. The crazy thing about Princess Louise Falls is that you’ll find it right in the middle of Orleans! It’s a beautiful waterfall. There’s definitely an insta vs. reality moment when you see that the waterfall is so close to a busy road and suburbs but I think that’s part of the beauty in it that such a stunning waterfall is so accessible. There’s a bit of a slope down to the waterfall so once you’re in front of the powerful stream of water you’ll feel like you’ve been transported away. We got a bit muddy on the way to finding it but as a result we found the best route to get here. Here’s all the information you need to know before visiting Princess Louise Falls.
Why You Need To Visit Princess Louise Falls
You’ll instantly feel like you’ve transported away when you’re at the foot of Princess Louise Falls. This waterfall is a great spot to take in the beauty of nature in the middle of Orleans. It’s easy to get to but still provides a beautiful view. It’s several meters high so you’ll feel pretty small beside it.
Best Time To Visit Princess Louise Falls in Orleans
I recommend visiting Princess Louise Falls in the spring. With all the snow melting, the waterfall will be at its strongest.
Keep in mind, it will be muddy in the Spring so I recommend wearing rain boots and athletic gear if possible. Don’t wear your favourite outfit!
In the summer you can expect the waterfall to be surrounded by greenery and in the fall vibrant colours, but the stream will be significantly less. In the winter the water stream will freeze.
I’ve seen photos of people with bathing suits at the waterfall in summer. This isn’t a good swimming destination and I advise against climbing the rocks because they would be very slippery and it would be easy to fall.
How to Get to Princess Louise Falls in Orleans
Through trial and error I found the best route. Here’s two options to make it to the waterfall:
Option 1: Park on Brookbridge Crescent the subdivision above the waterfall and walk down. I don’t recommend this option. There were paths in the forest behind the subdivision but it was unclear which led to the waterfall and either way you would be heading down on a steep slope, especially with all the spring mud. There is a bridge that lets you see the top of the waterfall stream with this option, but the waterfall is still the main attraction. We started off trying this and then switched to option 2.
Option 2: This is the route I would recommend. You’ll find the waterfall along St. Joseph Boulevard. I recommend parking at the strip mall with a Starbucks here. We grabbed a drink and then made our way to the waterfall. From the Starbucks it’s a 14 minute walk along St. Joseph Boulevard.
Once you get to the waterfall, there’s a bit of a slope to get down. You can use a tree with some conveniently placed branches to level yourself down to the flat surface at the bottom. I think it would be easier to get down in the summer when things are drier.
How Did the Waterfall Get Its Name?
Princess Louise Falls is named after the daughter of Queen Victoria. It’s been said that she liked to sketch these falls.
I hope you enjoy this adventure. As always, make sure to leave no trace and respect the area when visiting 🙂
Julia started Little Miss Ottawa as a way to explore her hometown as a traveller would. She’s always planning her next adventure, whether it’s local or abroad. You’ll find her exploring with her camera in hand. She hopes Little Miss Ottawa helps bring you on new and fun adventures. Happy exploring :)
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Amazing suggestion. I look at the map, I see some residential side street, st Joseph blvd and 1st or 2nd Ave. I wonder if I can park there for free which is closer to the fall, instead of 14 min walk from Starbuck
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You can definitely do that route too. We went in spring and it was super muddy/icy and the route wasn’t super clear. Personally, I found walking along the road easier and more straightforward.